NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Hyundai Equus Recalls & Complaints

The 2011 Hyundai Equus has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 24 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Hyundai dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Hyundai Equus. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2011 Hyundai Equus owner complaints

Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Equus, describing incidents dated March 20, 2012 to October 13, 2025.

Most-cited components

Suspension 11 complaints
Service Brakes 6 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Wheels 3 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Exterior Lighting 2 complaints

Of the 24 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 24 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11693505 · Filed October 15, 2025
Airbag suspension bags keep unable
ODI #11658557 · Filed May 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that the front shocks were previously replaced under an unknown recall. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced rear suspension failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the rear springs were…
ODI #11654706 · Filed April 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the rod bearings had…

Read all 24 complaints

Loss of Wiper Function due to Corrosion

NHTSA #16V117000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor · NHTSA notice

Reported February 29, 2016 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 18,700 vehicles

Repair completion: 74.26% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 140 · Owners notified April 22, 2016 · Vehicles built July 10, 2011 – June 12, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2012 Genesis vehicles manufactured August 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012, and 2011-2013 Equus vehicles manufactured July 10, 2011, to June 12, 2012. The windshield wiper motor cover seal on the affected vehicles may degrade allowing corrosion on the wiper motor's circuit board. The corrosion can cause intermittent or total loss of wiper function.

Safety consequence

Inoperative wipers during inclement weather can decrease driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor cover and seal, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 140.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Inoperative Stop Lamps

NHTSA #14V713000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported November 7, 2014 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 42,925 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.04% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 125 · Owners notified March 23, 2015 · Vehicles built July 13, 2010 – November 21, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2009-2011 Hyundai Genesis vehicles manufactured April 30, 2008, to November 21, 2010, and 2011 Hyundai Equus vehicles manufactured July 31, 2010, to November 21, 2010. Due to a circuit failure, the stop lamps in the affected vehicles may not illuminate.

Safety consequence

A following vehicle may not recognize that the vehicle is slowing or coming to a stop if the stop lamps on the vehicle do not illuminate as expected. There is an increased risk of a rear-end crash as a result.

Manufacturer remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the stop lamp switch circuit, free of charge. Hyundai issued an interim notification to owners on January 6, 2015. The recall began on March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 125.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2011 Hyundai Equus 4 DR RWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

24 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Hyundai Equus.

Suspension

ODI #11693505

Incident: October 13, 2025 · Filed: October 15, 2025

Airbag suspension bags keep unable

Suspension

ODI #11658557

Incident: May 2, 2014 · Filed: May 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that the front shocks were previously replaced under an unknown recall. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced rear suspension failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the rear springs were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, where the rear springs were replaced a second time; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving on an uneven road surface, the vehicle was bouncing, and felt like the wheels were rubbing the front and rear wheel wells. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Engine

ODI #11654706

Incident: March 27, 2025 · Filed: April 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the rod bearings had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11463358

Incident: July 9, 2021 · Filed: May 4, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled however, the driver was able to pull to the side of the road where the vehicle lost motive and was unable to be restarted. The contact stated that he was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised that they would attempt to restart the electronic computer module (ECM). The repair was successful however, the contact stated that the independent mechanic advised him that the failure could recur and that the vehicle should be taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the failure recurred without warning. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer. The failure was diagnosed that the ECM had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The ECM was replaced by a module from another vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had been at the dealer since July of 2021 as the replacement part was on back order. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that other issues were found with the vehicle and the contact was awaiting a call from the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Suspension

ODI #11449625

Incident: August 1, 2019 · Filed: January 31, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Equus. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the front end of the vehicle would lower to the ground without warning. Each time the failure occurred, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was repaired; however, the failure would return soon after repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Air Bags

ODI #11433441

Incident: April 20, 2019 · Filed: September 18, 2021

Clock spring malfunction.

Service Brakes

ODI #11317194

Incident: March 7, 2020 · Filed: March 10, 2020

THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I DO NOT HAVE MUCH BRAKING AND I HAVE CHANGED THE BRAKE PADS (FRONT/REAR) AND BLED THE BRAKES AND IT DID NOT HELP. I HAVE READ THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (HECU) AND THE PART IS COVERED UNDER RECALL FOR THE 2011 HYUNDAI GENESIS (RECALL 13V489000). SINCE IT IS THE SAME PART THAT IS USED ON THE 2011 GENESIS, DOES THE RECALL COVER THE EQUUS WHICH IS THE SAME CAR.

Suspension; Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11279163

Incident: October 17, 2019 · Filed: November 9, 2019

MALFUNCTION OF SUSPENSION AND NO DEALERSHIP CAN RESET. WE BEEN TO MERIDIAN AND HATTIESBURG DEALERSHIP AND EITHER THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT WORKING OR HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. ALWAYS TRIED TO SELL US ANOTHER VEHICLE. YOU

Suspension

ODI #11192338

Incident: March 6, 2019 · Filed: March 29, 2019

SIMILAR COMPLAINT AS NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11058378. THE FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE ESC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. NOTED THAT THE FRONT AIR-STRUTS WERE TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED THEM IN OCTOBER 2018. HOWEVER IN MARCH 2019, THE TOTAL CAR HAS DROPPED LOWER THAN EARLIER. THIS WHILE SITTING. TRIED TO RESTART CAR TO SEE IF ALL SYSTEMS WOULD RESET, BUT TO NO AVAIL. TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AROUND.

Service Brakes

ODI #11180224

Incident: December 28, 2018 · Filed: February 15, 2019

CAR BRAKES FAILED TO SLOW CAR IN EMERGENCY TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY, BRAKES WERE WORKING FINE THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOD AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR AHEAD. REAR BRAKES WERE NEW, REPLACED FRONT PADS, BUT BRAKE PEDAL STILL GOES TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR GENESIS HCU , WHICH HAS THE SAME PART AS THIS CAR, THE COST OF REPAIR IS $3000. THE CAR HAS 39000 MILES , I BELIEVE THE CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE HCU, SIMILAR TO THE SISTER CAR THE GENISIS WHICH WAS RECALLED. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, THE REPAIR COST IS ENORMOUS AND FORCES PEOPLE TO KEEP DRIVING WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES. DRIVING WITHOUT NEEDING TO STOP SUDDENLY THE CAR WORKS FINE. ONLY WHEN TRAFFIC STOPS SUDDENLY DO YOU NOTICE THE NEED TO PUT THE FOOT TO THE FLOOR , AND IT TAKES 100 EXTRA FEET TO STOP. THIS IS AFTER REPLACING ALL PADS AND HAVING THE SYSTEM CHECKED. AT THE BRAKE SHOP. I DRIVE LESS THAN 500 MILES A MONTH AND HAVE HAD 2 NEAR ACCIDENTS.

Other Hyundai Equus model years

Check your 2011 Hyundai Equus VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Hyundai Equus at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Hyundai VIN